The Chehaw Challenge will be held this January. As always, there will be a 10 mile race concurrent with a 50K and a 50 miler. The 50k and 50mile runners will be starting at 8 am and 10 mile and 4 mile runners will start at 9 am. The course is roughly 10 miles; each distance will run the corresponding number of loops. January weather in Albany is typically mid 30s with a high of around 60. There will be fully stocked aid stations every 5 miles. Boiled potatoes, M&Ms, cookies, pretzels, water, sports drink and other goodies will be available.
The race will start at the BMX trail head, adjacent to the BMX park. Restrooms are available at the start/finish area (additional family restrooms are available in the campground and playground areas).
Ample parking is available. $3.00 parking fee per vehicle NOT INCLUDED in your entry (collected at gate entrance on race morning).
Terrain / Elevation
Running consists of 99% single track. Mostly non-technical, you will run through packed sandy soil, pine stands, fields and swampy bottoms with very little elevation change. There are no rocks, but there are sections with modest amounts of roots. The course is runnable in road shoes, but you may want trail shoes to make roots more comfortable to run through. Depending on weather, there may be small amounts of standing water to run through (miles 7-9). If you don’t like running in wet shoes/socks, you can change them at the start-finish line area of each loop. So far, we have been dry in 2020 with zero standing water.
Cutoff Times
There is a 12 hour course cutoff time. We will NOT be enforcing any hard cutoff times for 50 mile racers, however – if people are struggling but still moving forward, we want you to finish and will stay. It will get dark by about 6:15, so be prepared if you are running longer than 10 hours.
Bib pickup
Packet pickup will be from 4-6 PM on Friday evening at the race start area. Simply drive through the park entrance, make the first right, and look for the start/finish arch. If you can’t make it at this time, please let us know and arrangements will be made for race morning. We thank you for making this race possible!
Aid Stations
There will be fully stocked aid stations on each loop at about mile 5.5 and mile 10.5 (start/finish area). Boiled potatoes, M&Ms, cookies, pretzels, Uncrustables, bacon, grilled cheese, water, soda and other goodies will be available. We will have Gatorade sports drink. We will be a CUPLESS race – bring your own hydration system. You will not need a hydration pack, but you will want to bring some sort of handheld if not wearing a pack.
Awards
Finisher awards for the 50-milers and age group awards for the 50K, 10 mile and 4 mile runners, which are special paintings made by some of the Chehaw zoo animals! Additionally, finishers of each distance will get a special race day event shirt, custom finisher medal, and custom mood steins. Custom hats will be for 50K and 50M finishers as well.
Amenities
For runners, there are plenty of local hotels nearby. There is plenty of space for tent-camping and a few cabins are available at Chehaw (contact Chehaw Park for details).
For families/non-runners, there are plenty of activities. Within Chehaw, there is a zoo, playground, BMX park, dirt remote-controlled car track, frisbee-golf, large playground, picnic tables and bathrooms.
Post-race meal
All pre-registered participants will receive a post race meal of delicious real warm food. Something like burgers, BBQ or pizza will be available. Feel free to bring your favorite beverage and please stick around for post-race fun. Family members are welcome to eat for an additional $5 each, but we need to know a head count by Mon, January 21st. All are welcome!
Shirts
All participants registered prior to January 18th will receive race shirts. All 50K and 50 Mile runners registered PRIOR to January 18th will receive a special post-race finisher award. There will be a very limited number of shirts available on a first come-first served basis for those after the Jan 18th deadline.
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